What Would YOU Do If You Witnessed Someone Being Discriminated Against for Shopping While Black?

Acts of racism are not limited to cops killing unarmed Black youth, legislatures pushing discriminatory laws, or random people shouting out racial epithets.

They are also perpetuated by the people who silently witness those behaviors without interference.

Not engaging lets oppressors know that they can continue their behavior and reminds the oppressed that they aren’t protected or safe. And, as this video demonstrates, can cause a whole lot of anguish and pain.

So, when you see acts of racial violence — be it profiling, discrimination, or even jokes (whether people of color are around or not) — even if you’re scared, be an ally and shut it down.

You might save someone’s life or change someone’s perspective in the process.

Click for the Transcript

JOHN QUIÑONES: This woman is shopping in an upscale New York City boutique.

SALES CLERK: It’s actually more of an upscale store. I’m not sure if you’ll find anything that you’re looking for.

JOHN: She is looking for a new outfit, but the store’s employees are on the lookout for people like her.

CLERK: I don’t need you any further in the store because I can’t keep my eye on you.
People like you come in and they take things and they start—

WOMAN: People like me?

CLERK: I think you know what I’m talking about. I don’t feel comfortable with you in the store.

JOHN: Keep your eye on these two women.

CLERK: I’m not sure you can actually afford something like this. Let me fold this back.

JOHN: The more offensive the sales clerk is…

CLERK: Ma’am, people like you, they can’t afford stuff like this.

JOHN: …the more they keep their attention on the merchandise. We catch up with the two women outside.

CUSTOMER 1: I did actually feel sorry for the girl.

JOHN: Will you do something next time?

CUSTOMER 2: I wouldn’t have got involved, no — because it’s nothing to do with me.

JOHN: But she needed your help. Someone has to sound the alarm.

CUSTOMER 2: But I don’t know her.

JOHN: The two customers have just witnessed a type of discrimination so common that researchers have given it a name: shopping while black. In a recent survey, 60% of African Americans say they have experienced it, and sadly, it has all the makings of a perfect What Would You Do? experiment.

In our scenario, actors portrayed a store clerk, a security guard, and a shopper who we dressed up and down. She is the target of the abuse. We wanted to see if any of the other shoppers will do anything at all.

Our base of operation is in one of the shopping capitals of the world, Soho in New York. And we find practically the only store willing to experiment with something so controversial, a woman’s boutique called Unpomela.

CLERK: People like you come in and then just slip things in your bag. You’ve got a big jacket and everything.

WOMAN: What does “people like you” mean?

CLERK: I think you know what I’m talking about.

WOMAN: I don’t.

CLERK: If you need to, shop in Harlem. Go shop in Harlem. You’re not shopping in our store.

JOHN: Inside the store, the harassment continues.

SECURITY: Put your arms out, please. It’s not the first time, I’m sure. You know what I’m talking about.

WOMAN: Excuse me. I’m being searched and I’m just a shopper. Did this happen to you?

JOHN: No response here. And just seconds later, she’s back to primping.

JOHN: I know you’re upset. Do you know what this was? It’s an experiment on racism, and a lot of people didn’t say a thing, and it’s a wonderful thing you did.

MAN 2: I usually don’t say anything, but I couldn’t sit there because it wasn’t security after a certain point.

WOMAN: You came to my rescue. No, seriously. It’s so humiliating. It’s embarrassing, you know? I’ve been followed around in stores before. I have to be conscious of the way I dress before I go shopping.

JOHN: Almost 100 people witness our scenario, and less than 20 intervene. It was clear from our experiment that people of color feel the most strongly. But we were surprised by some of the other folks who decided to step in.

CLERK: I just don’t feel comfortable right now with you in the store. I’m sorry, and I can’t subject them to this.

CUSTOMER 4: I think you should put in a complaint. Sorry. As somebody who is shopping, you’ve done nothing wrong.

CLERK: I’ve had people like her come in and this is what happens. I need you to frisk her, please.

John Quiñones is the anchor of What Would You Do?, one of the highest-rated newsmagazine franchises of recent years. During his 25-year tenure at ABC News, he has reported extensively for all programs and platforms and served as anchor of Primetime. Please follow him on twitter @JohnQABC.